Water craft launching and removal means

ABSTRACT

Broadly, the invention is directed to an easily fabricated, easily usable assemblage for the launching and removal of water craft. The major components of the apparatus comprise load bearing wheeled strut assemblies cooperable with coupling members disposed on the water craft, which strut members are easily detachable, and stored when not in use. In another embodiment of the invention, a kit assemblage is disclosed by which existing water craft may be modified in accordance with the practice of the invention.

D United States Patent 1 3,665,533 Kleinau 1 May 30, 11972 54] WATER CRAFT LAUNCHING AND 3,217,478 11/1965 De Geere ..280/47.32 x REMOVAL MEANS 2,622,893 12/1952 Wasserlein ..9/1 T X 2,967,719 1/1961 Williams ..9/1 T X [72] Inventor: William W. Kleinau, 5100 Borland Rd.,

Los Angeles Cahf' 90032 Primary ExaminerMilton Buchler [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1970 Assistant Examiner-F. K. Yee

Art --D B. H 21 Appl. No.: 61,343 omey we [57] ABSTRACT if 3'' 280/473 2541 Broadly, the invention is directed to an easily fabricated, easi- 5 'n 32 4 l ly usable assemblage for the launching and removal of water I 1 e o arc l l 5 i l 3 craft. The major components of the apparatus comprise load bearing wheeled strut assemblies cooperable with coupling 56 Refere ces Cited members disposed on the water craft, which strut members 1 n are easily detachable, and stored when not in use. In another UNITED STATES PATENTS embodiment of the invention, a kit assemblage is disclosed by which existing water craft may be modified in accordance with 2,709,084 5/1955 Nagalshr ..280/47.32 the practice fth invention 3,134,111 5/1964 Atwood ..9/1 T 2,190,358 2/1940 l-lenrichsen et a1. ..280/414 A X 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 30 m2 INVEN'I (1R. M/ILLl/IM W MBA/Au WATER CRAFT LAUNCHING AND REMOVAL MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention has to do with portable apparatus in combination with a boat or the like for launching and removal of the same from a carrier or transporter. The novel apparatus is easily fabricated and readily installed so as to obtain the end objectives of the invention.

It is commonplace to transport small boats across land and to the shore of a body of water on trailers or tops of automobiles, campers and the like. Upon reaching the body of water where the craft is to be used, difficultiesare presented in launching or removal of the craft for a dismount position usually some distance from the waters edge, over uncertain terrain. Usually the water craft or boat is both heavy and awkward to manually carry to the water, and it is extremely desirable to be able to transport the boat over long stretches of beach, rocks, etc., in an easily facilitated manner. Because of the magnitude of the problem, and the popularity of boating, specially made trailers or dollies have been contrived which can be rolled into the water to launch the craft. Such trailers or dollies are usually heavy, making them troublesome in soft sand, and costly units which are in themselves a problem to handle and care for. Furthermore, such trailers and dollies are such that they cannot be carried by the boat or craft so that the craft can be conveniently taken from or out of the water except at the launching site. More often than not, they cannot be handled manually, thus requiring a car or the like for launching. Finally, they must be left on shore, at the mercy of the curious and the unscrupulous.

The prior art suggests, and indeed there are patents directed to permanently secured, retractable wheels for use in the moving of small or light boats to overcome the problems noted hereinabove. Generally speaking, the prior art devices offer the boat owner little solace in that they are either too heavy in and of themselves or require special complex modifications to the boats or water crafts with which they are to be used so that they may be used. The apparatus of this invention overcomes these shortcomings and provides a practical, low cost, easily manipulable and storable apparatus for transporting water craft for flotation and landing purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective of a boat employing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged section of the apparatus in FIG. 1, partially exploded to demonstrate the inter-relationship of the major components of the apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view partially in cross section similar to the showing in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational top view of one of the bracket members shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The objectives to be achieved in the use of this invention will become apparent by the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like elements throughout. Referring specifically, now, to FIG. 1, a field of use of the invention is dramatically illustrated. Generally speaking, a water craft, such as the boat illustrated at B, having, in this case, power supplied by an outboard motor M secured to the transom thereof, provides a rather cumbersome object during launching and removal. In accordance with the invention, there is provided for use in conjunction with the boat B, detachable launching means, comprising, as illustrated wheeled strut assemblies 6 adapted to be disposed on opposite of which includes the elongated tubular member 8 having a wheel structure W disposed near one end thereof and means for securing the strut to the boat so as to position the wheel beneath the lowermost portion thereof. It will be apparent that the length of strut and/or position of the wheel assembly will, therefore, have to be adapted to the specific boat upon which the launching means is to be used. It will also be apparent that from a structural standpoint, the member 8 may be of tubular construction in order to provide optimum rigidity without sacrifice to weight, and further, for most applications, may be conveniently made of extruded aluminum construction.

The wheel assembly W includes a tire T, which may be pneumatic, or of any other known construction, without departure from the invention, which is secured to the member 8 near the lower end 10 thereof as seen in FIG. 3 by means of any known axle assembly 14, the specific construction of which, has no particular bearing on the novel features of the invention disclosed herein.

In order to make the launching device of the present invention more adaptable to a variety of water craft, therefore making it more universal in its application, a number of aligned axle receiving apertures might be provided along the lower extremity of the strut so as to permit selective location of the axle assembly 14, thereby varying the effective length of the strut to permit the same to be used with water craft having deeper drafts than might otherwise be possible.

The tubular member 8 is formed with integral sections including an intermediate offset section 16 for the principal purposes of conforming the strut as much as possible to the profile of the side of the boat to which it is intended to be attached as seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 2. Above the offset 16 is another section 17 which, in the illustrated case, is generally parallel with the lower section 10 upon which the wheel assembly W is mounted. Again, such construction is intended to conform to the profile of the side of the water craft for purposes of permitting satisfactory mounting of the device in conjunction with the water craft.

It is an objective of the invention to provide a device which is readily mountable and de-mountable with respect to the water craft upon which it is being used, and to this end, and with particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, load bearing protrusions are provided on the tubular member 8 which are adapted to be engaged with the side of the water craft so as to permit supporting of at least a portion of the weight of the water craft by the tubular member. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the protrusions suitably comprise a pin or pins 18, which are either welded to, or otherwise secured to or through the tubular member 8 so as to project a convenient distance on either side thereof generally transverse to the plane of the tubular member, and in a position so as to be generally parallel with the side of the water craft to which the member is to be attached.

Cooperable with the load bearing pins 18, and disposed on the side of the craft B is a coupling member 25 which is detailed in FIG. 4. The coupling member is provided with a mounting plate 27 which is secured by means of screws or bolts 29 to the side of the water craft as illustrated in FIG. 3. The plate 27 carries a protuberance 30 which, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is divided to provide a pair of protruding bosses defining a slot 42 between them. The size of the slot is such as to accommodate the width of the member 8. Load bearing member receiving grooves 45 are formed on the underside of the bosses to accommodate the pins 18 disposed on the member 8, in nested load bearing relation. It will be noted that, in keeping with the objectives of the invention, the coupling member is rounded, thereby presenting a relatively smooth surface to further avoid the possibility of injury to person or clothing during the use of the craft with the wheel strut assemblies detached.

Again, with reference to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the bosses are rounded, and that the grooves 45 are inwardly disposed with respect to the outer extremity thereof. Moreover, it will be noted that the position of the pin, members 18, in the tubular member 8 is disposed toward the side of the member which faces the side of the water craft. This construction provides optimum security against the catching of clothing or the like on the member 25, which remains permanently secured to the water craft by permitting the bosses to be as shallow as possible. It will be appreciated that the load bearing members 18 might be disposed on the water craft with the coupling member disposed on the strut. However, this construction again would add to the possible problem of catching clothing or the like on the permanently installed member on the water craft, and it is an objective of the invention, to avoid such a hazard.

It will be appreciated that with the arrangement just discussed, the tubular member 8 is readily brought into engagement with the member 25 on the water craft by simply bringing the member into contact with the side of the water craft with the pins 18 disposed immediately below the protuberances and thereafter elevating the member 8 until the pins are nested in the grooves 45. Since the grooves are rounded to complement the surface of the pin, and the pin itself is cylindrical, it will be appreciated that limited relative rotation is possible as between the member 8 and the side of the water craft with the pins engaged in the protuberances 30.

In order to secure the struts in a load bearing position with the pins 18 engaged in the grooves 45, an aperture 50 is formed in the upper section 17 of the member 8 near the end thereof. As is evident in FIG. 2, since the tubular construction is shown, the aperture 50 is in reality a pair of aligned apertures formed in the two side walls of the tubular construction of the member 8. The aperture is formed with its axis directed transverse to the side of the water craft to which it is intended to attach, and a fastener indicated generally at 52 is provided and adapted to be received in the apertures 50, The fastener has a shank 54 which is, in the illustrated case, threaded, and an enlarged head member 56 which may be either a wing nut or a thumb screw or some other conveniently large member which will facilitate hand operation, thereby eliminating the need for wrenches, screwdrivers or other tools.

Provided on the side of the water craft in alignment with the apertures 50 when the pin members 18 are nested in the grooves 45, is a receptacle plate indicated generally at 55, which is secured, in the illustrated case, to the side of the water craft by means of flat head screw 57. The plate is provided with a boss 60 which defines a shallow protrusion from the plate, and which is provided with an aperture 62 which is threaded to receive the threaded portion 54 of the fastener 52. The plate is located with respect to the coupling member to facilitate alignment with the fastener.

With reference, now, particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, installation of the device will be seen to be both quick and efficient, requiring no tools to effect such installation. More specifically, the load bearing members 18 are brought into contact with the coupling member 25 and the pins are nested in the grooves 45. Minimal clockwise rotation of the member 8 about the pins 18 nested in the grooves 45 (as seen in FIG. 2) will bring the apertures, and the fastener member 52 carried thereby into alignment with the plate 55 and the aperture 62 adapted to receive the fastener. A few quick turns of the fastener and the device is secured in load bearing relation with the side of the water craft. Quite obviously a second member must be secured to the other side of the water craft, preferably co-planer with the position of the first member discussed, to provide balance as well as necessary support for the water craft.

The location of the mounting plane is, for the most part, a matter ofjudgment and convenience, keeping in mind that the user will undoubtedly wish to support a minimum amount of weight himself. By placing the device somewhere near the center of gravity of the device, it will be possible, therefore, for the water craft to be maneuvered with a minimum amount of effort. It is a feature of the present invention that it is sufficiently strong, in the mounted position, to permit the boat or water craft to be transported with fishing gear, motor and other equipment normally used aboard the boat to be stowed prior to transportation. The mounting plane may be chosen, therefore, to minimize the effort needed to maneuver the craft in its fully loaded condition. Moreover, since the wheel assemblies operate independent of one another, it will be apparent that it will be possible to turn and maneuver the water craft with great ease even in very soft sand.

It should be pointed out that, while a screw-type fastener has been illustrated at 52, that there are a number of known quick connect fasteners, such as Zeus fasteners which may well be employed. As seen in FIG. 3, the major portion of the weight of the water craft will be carried by the pins 18 when nested in the grooves 45. It will also be seen in FIG. 3 that the direction of the load is essentially co-axial with the lower por tion of the member 8, thereby minimizing side load components which would generate undesirable stresses on the lower portion of the strut assemblies.

By virtue of the construction herein described and illustrated, the launching device, when not in use, is readily stored within the water craft, requiring a minimum ofspace, and thus enhancing the convenience in using devices of this type, whenever, and wherever desired.

While a detachable arrangement has been illustrated, it will be appreciated that the device may be permanently affixed if so desired.

I claim as my invention:

1. For use in combination with a water vehicle, a readily attachable and detachable launching and beaching means comprising an elongated tubular member, said tubular member having a wheel assembly disposed thereon near the one end thereof; load bearing means disposed on said tubular member intermediate the ends thereof, said load bearing means comprising a pin extending transverse to and on either side of said tubular member and in generally parallel relation to the side of said water craft; a smoothly configured coupling means secured to the side of the water craft adjacent the chine and adapted to receive said load bearing means in load bearing relation with respect to said coupling means, said coupling means comprising a base and spaced, aligned protuberances extending outwardly therefrom, said protuberances having generally downwardly facing, aligned grooves therein for nesting receipt of the pin of the load bearing means therein; fastener means carried by said tubular member near the other end thereof opposite the end near the wheel assembly; a plate affixed to said water craft adjacent the gunwale thereof and being so positioned with respect to said coupling means as to be aligned with and engaged by the fastener means carried by the tubular member when said load bearing means thereon are in nested engagement with said coupling means, said fastener means securing said launching assembly to said water craft with the wheel assembly disposed beneath said water craft; pairs of said assemblies being used in aligned, opposed relation on either side of said water craft to permit launching and beaching of the water craft, said launching and beaching assembly being readily storable within the water craft when not in use.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is comprised of a series of sections lying in one common plane certain of said sections being offset with respect to others of said sections in a plane normal to said first mentioned plane to thereby conform the said tubular member to the side of said water craft to permit engagement of said load bearing means with said coupling means adjacent the chine of the water craft and said fastener means with said plate adjacent the gunwale of said watercraft.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wheel assembly includes an axle disposed near said one end of said tubular member, said end of said tubular member having a series of spaced apertures therein, aligned along said tubular member any one of which can receive said member, to thereby permit the user to choose the position at which said wheel assembly is affixed with respect to the end of said tubular member.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said load bearing means are disposed more closely adjacent the side of said tubular member which faces said water craft thereby permitting said protuberances on said coupling means to be relatively shallow so as to inhibit injury to persons and articles 5 making inadvertent engagement with said protuberances. 

1. For use in combination with a water vehicle, a readily attachable and detachable launching and beaching means comprising an elongated tubular member, said tubular member having a wheel assembly disposed thereon near the one end thereof; load bearing means disposed on said tubular member intermediate the ends thereof, said load bearing means comprising a pin extending transverse to and on either side of said tubular member and in generally parallel relation to the side of said water craft; a smoothly configured coupling means secured to the side of the water craft adjacent the chine and adapted to receive said load bearing means in load bearing relation with respect to said coupling means, said coupling means comprising a base and spaced, aligned protuberances extending outwardly therefrom, said protuberances having generally downwardly facing, aligned grooves therein for nesting receipt of the pin of the load bearing means therein; fastener means carried by said tubular member near the other end thereof opposite the end near the wheel assembly; a plate affixed to said water craft adjacent the gunwale thereof and being so positioned with respect to said coupling means as to be aligned with and engaged by the fastener means carried by the tubular member when said load bearing means thereon are in nested engagement with said coupling means, said fastener means securing said launching assembly to said water craft with the wheel assembly disposed beneath said water craft; pairs of said assemblies being used in aligned, opposed relation on either side of said water craft to permit launching and beaching of the water craft, said launching and beaching assembly being readily storable within the water craft when not in use.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is comprised of a series of sections lying in one common plane certain of said sections being offset with respect to others of said sections in a plane normal to said first mentioned plane to thereby conform the said tubular member to the side of said water craft to permit engagement of said load bearing means with said coupling means adjacent the chine of the water craft and said fastener means with said plate adjacent the gunwale of said watercraft.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wheel assembly includes an axle disposed near said one end of said tubular member, said end of said tubular member having a series of spaced apertures therein, aligned along said tubular member any one of which can receive said member, to thereby permit the user to choose the position at which said wheel assembly is affixed with respect to the end of said tubular member.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said load bearing means are disposed more closely adjacent the side of said tubular member which faces said water craft thereby permitting said protuberances on said coupling means to be relatively shallow so as to inhibit injury to persons and articles making inadvertent engagement with said protuberances. 